“ is a band that started in in 1984 and sort of best known for one song basically in England, a song called Calling all the Heroes. They started out an out-and-out pop band like Duran Duran but then for the next Once Around the World they sort of outed themselves as massive prog rockers which probably came as a bit of a chock to the record company, they were on a major label at the time called . They did that album and then the following album they did was like a straight ahead rock album in a bid to break the american market but, you know. Then after that in about 1990 the original lead singer left and that was the end of the group apparently every- one thought. Until about 2006 when I was asked to join so I joined them in 2006 and we did an album called (2008) and then four years later we’ve done another one and that is pretty much a condensed history of It Bites.”

Hallowed PDF-article 1 2 Hallowed PDF-article Design by Daniel Källmalm Design by Daniel Källmalm written by daniel källmalm why not as that is about all the tes. It is a story inspired by an old This fascination comes from it was my great grandfather in my imagination. photos: press photos, as credited most important events from their photograph. one man in the photograph, a the front, his sister and some pe- John explains that he does vi- published on 25/3-2012 career condensed into a few sen- - It was a picture of my great man who does not really appear ople in a horse drawn carriage sit Cornwall regularly and goes tences but sure there are more to grand parents in 1913 and it is to belong in this picture as unlike and everyone was looking at the there sailing sometimes and The opening phrase is how this band as well and with their in front of an old farm building all the other characters who are camera. Apart from this one guy when returning from such a trip singer, songwriter, guitarist and fifth studio album following their in Cornwall in the south of Eng- looking into the camera as was on the left who was on this horse- he went on in search for the place whatever else he is up to in the critically acclaimed ”Tall Ships” land. I saw this picture and it was customary when taking photo- back and he was dressed in mili- of the photograph. This is not as band, who is also they are looking to conquer the kind of spooky looking, it was se- graphs in the past he was facing tary clothing and he is delibera- futile as it might sound as the old known from things like Arena, world with their new offering pia coloured, sort of yellowy and away like he didn’t want to be tely facing away from the camera farm building is not just a random The Urbane, Kino to name a few, ”Map of the Past” which is the it was faded at the edges and I there in the picture. which was king of a strange pic- place to John, he knew roughly retells the story of It Bites. And first ever concept album by It Bi- was kind of fascinated. - He was on the left hand side, ture really. And it kind of called where to find it and so he did.

Hallowed PDF-article 3 4 Hallowed PDF-article Design by Daniel Källmalm Design by Daniel Källmalm - I went along this little road John had been growing up with kind of the basic premise of the the story. one rather small historical event place on the album, all the lyrics with lots of trees, it was very this picture but when his pa- story. - It’s kind of in his mind, it’s that is changed, I will not tell you referenced each other. There’s a narrow and lots of leaves every- rents past while he still was very his subconscious imagining. He which because John didn’t tell me scene at the front of the album where and I turned a corner and young, the picture disappeared Writing a story tries to change things and unra- and after all interviews are to pro- with the radio and the radio co- there it was right in front of me from his mind and when he was Trying to change aspects of ones vel things and only makes them mote artists and what better way mes back and it turns out that the and it was exactly like driving given it from his cousin it brought life by altering previous events worse, and eventually he just gets to promote an album that curiosi- guy has disappeared into the an- back into the picture because the back memories of his past and sounds a bit like time travel, and stuck there when he can’t come ty? And a lot of attention was put nuals of history but has changed building hadn’t changed at all, it that thing sparked his imagina- that is in a sense what it is about back and he becomes part of the into telling this story and not just certain key events in history. was bizarre. The only thing that tion and he set out to write this but maybe not quite in the ge- picture. make another - And the writing process for this had changed in a hundred years story. neral literary view of time travel Which makes the story possi- or concept album and everything album also meant that they did was that the people wasn’t in the - I kind of wrote a story about a but more in a diffuse and vague bly about the futility of changing was thought about very carefully use all the songs that they wrote picture, obviously they have all guy who tries to change his pre- sense. There is no time machine events to make ones own exis- to make sure that it was told just for the album, there was no dis- passed on by now, it was quite sent, certain aspects of his life by involved and events are triggered tence better even though certain right. carding of songs that otherwise is a chock to me how little it had altering things that happened in by the subconscious mind and key events are changed and we - We were very careful to make usually the case, everything was changed. previous generations and that is the dreams seems to be the key to can hear in the Exit Song about sure that each song had its exact used, they didn’t waste anything

Hallowed PDF-article 5 6 Hallowed PDF-article Design by Daniel Källmalm Design by Daniel Källmalm tely surprised me, he brought jamming together or anything. think that so far we have had a two bits of music to the al- It is just John and I and then we very good reaction and hopefully bum which had been writing give the songs to other people to when it gets released the public at at home and recorded them, work out there own parts. large will agree. demoed them up at home and And it would have appeared to Although for fans to be able to they were the tracks Send No have paid off if we are to believe comment and react to the album Flowers and Meadow and the what John thinks as he rates this there has to be some buying said Stream and they run into each as the album he is most proud of album and for that to happen the- other. They were the most re- from everything he has been in- re has to be some buzz or interest cent things that we recorded volved with in regards to writing, around the album and as far as and the things I love the most, recording and singing. For him it John can gather from the band’s they are overly theatrical and is personal in so many ways, with interactive presence there is some I just thought they were so the idea being sparked by a photo great interest from the band’s ac- over the top, not ridiculous in and how that intertwines with his tive fan community. a bad way but ridiculous in a own life and also how he worked - I think everybody has been fun way and they sparked my alongside the guy doing the art- preordering it like mad and I imagination. I love them, they work to make sure that the pages think that it’s going to be a bit of a are my two favourite tracks for each song in the booklet en- nice surprise to the people when on the album. ded up the way he wanted and he it finally is released. These are according to John had a mission to make this album though as already touched as a bit of a journey in a musical Promoting a Story upon not the normal way sense. Touring is sort of the thing it se- for It Bites to write their mu- - he whole thing sort of works ems like every band wants to do sic because normally it starts together and I think when liste- when releasing an album, the with ideas from John Mitchell ning to it that it stands really well goal is always a grande tour all and then (lots of together as an album, it sort of over the place for most people Johns there) makes arrange- takes you on a bit of a journey though the reality of economy ments for them, often the ph- and that is the thing I set out to dictates that it is not possible. It rase “okay, what do you got?” achieve. And I am very pleased, Bites hopes to stretch a bit further is spoken apparently. I don’t think there’s a weak song and to conquer someplace other - Normally John would sit in it and I like it for some quite than only the UK and they are di- opposite me in a room with interesting instrumental passages scussing a possible tour of main- his keyboard and I sit with that I am very proud of and that land Europe with the label alt- the guitar, and he sits there we worked on quite hard, and hough there is nothing in terms with his arms folded and says hopefully everyone agrees. of such things confirmed or really “okay, what do you got?” It’s From the little I have been able on the cards right now as the da- always down to me to come to gather in terms of reviews on tes that are marked in the calen- up with the first thing, which the internet it would seem like he dar of this band takes them to a I do, and then we’ll argue has the right to be proud as the few places in the UK where they about what the drum beat album has gotten some fine re- have reached quite well and the should be. views and I haven’t seen anyth- same goes for Japan but those are And after that a lot of gui- ing negative, and that would the only places this band has re- de instruments are recorded seem to agree with what John has ally been big. and the lyrics has to be writ- heard from people who has heard - It Bites really only had a big ten quickly and that has to be the album already as it is yet to be audience in the UK and in Japan recorded and the rhythm sec- released, tomorrow seen from the but with this album I think we tion like the drums and bass publishing date of this article and want to take a reach a bit further as John says. there are one that for John stands good at arranging music but ge- are added as the last parts and some week or so later than the outfield because I don’t think It - We didn’t write any more or out a little bit extra and it is a song nerally not that keen on writing when all of the guides are finis- interview. Which is why we have Bites ever did much effort back any less, all the ones that we wro- that he keeps referring to throug- any. But he had two songs that he hed then the pieces are given to to wait a while for fan reactions in the 80s when Francis Dun- te are the ones that appear on the hout the entire interview we did had demoed up and everything the others to make out their over- something that John hopes will nery was in the band to tour Eu- album. for this article. It a track that was and those are the two favourite dubs, and it is only John and John be good. rope and other places. With that written by John Beck the band’s tracks on the album according to Beck that writes the music. - I have tried to put more of in mind I think this time around Scoring a story keyboard player who generally John. - We don’t kind of write as such my own stamp on it and make it we’re going to make a bit more Out of these storytelling songs, according to John Mitchell is very - On this occasion he comple- in a room with everybody all sound a bit more of myself. So, I effort to do so.

Hallowed PDF-article 7 8 Hallowed PDF-article Design by Daniel Källmalm Design by Daniel Källmalm But as I stated already the only of the Past” and the ridiculous John Beck lovingly put together being as it sets them a bit apart that the music should not be as ample, I keep referencing that dates that are confirmed at the works of It Bites, ridiculous in a and I play cello on it and violin from most other progressive rock ordinary as the lives most of us song, because even if it seems moment are four dates come may fun way of course and not in the and it comes crashing in and it bands out there today, and also have to endure, it should take you quite ominous and dark there and some festivals like Cambrid- other regard. I leave to John to ex- is so much louder than the rest that they do make a different places, evoke emotional response is a definite undercurrent of hu- ge Rock Festival and Celebrate plain why the word ridiculous is of the track. Every time I hear it kind of concept album. or whatever. He does not agree mour in it and I miss that, I think Festival in London, but you have so widely used by this band. it makes me smile because it is - I mean typically concept al- with some people’s notion that that Genesis always had that and to update yourselves on when - I like that word, I don’t mean over the top to the maximum and bums are supposed to be dark, music is art but he says that mu- there was sort of elements of defi- and where they are from the it in a negative detrimental way. that is one of the things I wan- bruiting, pompous and to be ho- sic should be entertainment and nite tongue in cheekness about it. band’s website as we can’t write In english it’s, we kind of use it to ted this album to be. If you listen nest with you I am quite pleased this entertainment can be about Whereas a lot of progressive rock it here and for the latest upda- describe things that are over the to Bohemian Rhapsody, I am not with this one because I like to escapism which often is an im- bands these days takes it all very, tes on tours and everything else top, it is an adjective to describe comparing by any stretch of the think that some of the music is portant part of progressive rock very, very earnest and serious. I would recommend the band’s something that is quite ludicrous- imagination but if you listen to quite joyous actually even though and a part of the genre that John So, It Bites are on the lighter website. Imagine the possibilities ly larger than life, that’s the word Bohemian Rhapsody and that who- there are some darker moments agrees with. He also believes that side of progressive rock then? for building interesting live sets I use to describe Send no Flowers le middle section comes in, it can on the album. most modern progressive rock ta- - Yeah, I think so, It Bites started for touring this album. because it starts out like with a only be described as ridiculous Besides ridiculous, words like kes itself very seriously and there out as a pop band so, in the same sort of church organ and than it because it is so over the top. escapism and otherworldliness is no real room for humour, it is vein as, I don’t know, 10CC or It is difficult to end a story turns into this ridiculous, it is the And over the top, not quite are used in relation to this band just gloomy, dark and serious something where they did have But now let us tie it all together only word I can use to describe it taking it all too seriously is so- and that is something that is im- which is something It Bites isn’t. a definite sense of humour in the with some more about ”Map when the orchestra comes in that mething this band are proud of portant to this band. John thinks - With Send No Flowers for ex- music. John replies laughingly.

Hallowed PDF-article Hallowed PDF-article Design by Daniel Källmalm Design by Daniel Källmalm But being different is nothing It Bites called ”Tall Ships” where shoes in a band, it was not my site to get the latest information It Bites are: It Bites on the web: that is really in the cards for this they really focused on making band to begin with it was some- on tours and everything that we John Mitchell - L. Vocals, Guitars Our review band to set out to be, it just gets music that sounded like It Bites, body else’s band, it is something I haven’t written about them. With John Beck - Keyboards, Vocals http://itbites.com/ that way for them. this time it is more personal and feel linked with in this band more that I leave a final word to John Bob Dalton - Drums, Vocals It bites myspace - I think that when you think more of his own touch and that than perhaps the last album did Mitchell and thanks him for ta- Lee Pomeroy - Bass, Vocals It Bites on InsideOut about music too much that’s is one of the best things about the and I feel like having done it it king his time to speak with us. when it becomes, you know. You album according to John. makes me feel more connected - Just go and buy the album re- It Bites Discography: can’t select to write music it either - The best thing about it is, I with the band having done this ally, and if you like it then that’s The Big Lad In The Windmill(86) happens or it doesn’t. don’t know, the fact that it is per- album because it’s got more of mission succeeded and if you Once Around The World (1988) And with this new album it sonal. Even though it is a concept my own personality in it. don’t like it don’t come out and Eat Me In St. Louis (1989) happened in a way that John took album that tells a story about so- And now let me remind you tell me about it because I am very The Tall Ships (2008) on his role more as his own in mething else, the thing that I feel that the ”Map of the Past” album sensitive. Map of the Past (2012) the band rather than just filling connected to it is the best thing is out on the 26th of march which someone else’s shoes like it sort about it. And being someone who is more or less today and be sure of was with his first album with stepped into another person’s to check in on the band’s web-

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